Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my
garbage and recyclables? How do I contact them?
Are there any businesses that accept certain items for
recycling or reuse?
Where can I find information on what items I can dispose of
and what the cost is?
Are there any items I can't bring in?
I'm from a business - what can I do with my
confidential papers?
How do I dispose of electronics?
Who operates the Solid Waste Department and its
facilities?
Who picks up my garbage and recyclables? How do I contact them?
Which hauler serves you depends on which municipality you live in.
For more information on when collections are made or on other recycling programs and drop-offs in your municipality, see your Community’s Specific Recycling schedule/calendar under Residential Programs. Or, you may also call your municipal clerk for more information.
Are there any businesses that accept certain items for recycling or reuse?
Several businesses in the area accept plastic bags, packing peanuts and certain kinds of oil for recycling or re-use.
Where can I find information on what items I can dispose of and what the cost is?
See the Transfer Facility Fees or brochure pages. With any additional questions, please call 343-6297. See the Continuous Clean Sweep Brochure to find out about how to handle hazardous materials.
Are there any items I can’t bring in?
Items that are never accepted: radioactive materials, explosives, ammunition, compressed fuel cylinders, fire extinguishers, Freon 11 and 12 and medication wastes. For information on how to handle these materials, call 343-6297.
For more information on the Continuous Clean Sweep Program, see the brochure.
Latex paint is not considered hazardous and can be disposed of as follows: Leave can open or pour paint into a box lined with a plastic bag until the paint dries out. You can add kitty litter, sawdust or a hardener to speed this up. Then, this can be disposed of with the rest of your solid waste.
For items like paint and household cleaners, be sure to check out our Exchange Forum. This forum is open to businesses as well.
I’m from a business – what do I do with my confidential papers?
Free confidential shredding is offered to businesses at the Material Recovery Facility. This service includes a locked confidential storage area, with access available only to approved personnel. Shredded materials are bulked into bales and sent to a de-inking paper mill in De Pere. A signed Certificate of Destruction is available upon request. No appointment is necessary for this service – just drop the items off at the MRF during business hours.
How do I dispose of electronics?
The Portage County Solid Waste Department accepts many electronic items for recycling. There is a fee associated with some of them. See the Transfer Facility Brochure for more information.
If you are recycling your computer, and wish to destroy personal information on your hard drive, go to www.killdisk.com.
Who operates the Solid Waste Department and its facilities?
While it is a county department, the Solid Waste Department primarily funds itself through what it charges for tipping fees and the recyclable materials sold to companies for re-use, as well as through state grants.
The Material Recovery Facility is publicly owned by the county, but privately operated under contract. The operator is responsible for sorting, processing and marketing the recyclables.
The Solid Waste Management Board governs the department. Their meetings are open to the public and are usually held at the MRF. Keep an eye out in newspaper legal notices for the dates of these meetings.